For Lommel, hospital staffers now like family

Alyssa Lommel credits the staffers at St. Paul's Regions Hospital for helping her recover and get on the right track.

Alyssa Lommel, 19, talks Tuesday<137>, April 8<137> at her home in St. Cloud. Lommel is recovering after spending a nearly fatal night outside in below zero temperatures on Dec. 7 in Duluth. <137,2014/04/12,Yilek/c Caitlin1>While she has endured amputations and surgeries,<137> She plans to return to school in Duluth this fall.(Photo: <252>Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com)

Story Highlights

Lommel spent 2 months at St. Paul's Regions Hospital

Lommel on the hospital staffers: "I met some of my best friends there"

Doctors said they learned amputations were necessary within the first two weeks.

"The remarkable thing with Alyssa is she didn't want us to sugarcoat what was going to happen even though she was dealing with some pretty dramatic medical issues," Endorf said. "She was extremely mature for someone of her age."

Helping Lommel deal with her new life was social worker Mikki Rothbauer. Lommel now wants to become a social worker like Rothbauer.

Mohr said they were saving a social worker job in the burn center for Lommel.

"After one of the first difficult family meetings, I was asked by her family, 'Why and how could you do your job? Why would you want to do this?' " Rothbauer said. "The day of her discharge with everyone crying and thanking me I said, 'Remember when you asked why I do this job?'

"I got the honor of seeing Alyssa succeed every day. This is the most rewarding job."